ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, November 16, 1996 TAG: 9611180124
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: MIAMI
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
Virginia Tech's football team may never get a better chance to kick its long-term Miami Vice.
In contrast to past unsuccessful excursions south, the Hokies truly believe this time they can beat big, bad Miami in today's key Big East Conference matchup at the Orange Bowl.
"Sure, we can beat 'em,'' said Jim Druckenmiller, Tech's starting quarterback. "We're going to have to play a hell of a game, but, yeah, we can win. Hey, nobody's unbeatable.''
The Hurricanes used to be, at least at the 72,319-seat Orange Bowl. Miami won an NCAA-record 58 straight games, including three Orange Bowl triumphs, at home from 1985-94.
But lately, the Orange Bowl has put the squeeze to the home team. Incredibly, both of the 18th-ranked Hurricanes' two 1996 losses - 34-16 to Florida State and 31-6 to East Carolina - have come in the stadium that once sucked the life out of opponents at mere sight.
Now, Miami has another home streak working - two straight losses.
Before last month, the 'Canes hadn't dropped two in a row at home since Jimmy Johnson's 1984 club lost back-to-back in two of the greatest games in NCAA history - a 42-40 loss to Boomer Esiason and Maryland, and a 47-45 loss to Boston College on Doug Flutie's unforgettable "Hail Mary'' touchdown pass.
In case the 21st-ranked Hokies (7-1 overall, 4-1 Big East) really want to know, one has to go back to 1977 to uncover the last time Miami (6-2, 4-0) lost three in a row at home.
"Three in a row at home that's unheard of at the University of Miami,'' said Tech sophomore cornerback Loren Johnson, who used to attend UM games while growing up in nearby Miramar.
"I'm really shocked they lost two in a row. I thought after FSU, they'd come out and demolish East Carolina. Shoot, back when I was going to their games, if they lost one, the season for me was over. I wasn't going to another one. I thought they were out of it.''
Has Miami suddenly lost its Orange Bowl aura? It used to be, the Hurricanes showed up, stormed out of a smoke-filled tunnel and then played a game of "Name That Score.'' Not anymore.
"I don't think this team has the mystique of the Miamis of old,'' said Torrian Gray, Tech's senior free safety who hails from Lakeland.
"They're not as intimidating as they used to be. They seem more vulnerable than in the past.''
That's one reason Tech is only a seven-point underdog. Today's game, which will be carried to 73 percent of the country via CBS (WDBJ, Channel 7), marks the first time in eight Orange Bowl meetings with Miami that Tech hasn't been at least a double-digit 'dog.
But times change. The Hokies started their current 17-of-18 winning run last year against Miami, upsetting the 'Canes 13-7 in Blacksburg. It was Tech's first victory in the schools' 13-game series.
"That helps,'' said Frank Beamer, Hokies coach. "At least we know we can beat them. You've got to know you can do something to have a fair shot.''
If the Hokies run the football like they did last year against the 'Canes, their shot at winning will be better than fair. Tech ran up 300 yards on Miami in last year's upset.
How significant was Tech's effort? Pretty stout when you consider Notre Dame in 1980 was the last team to hit the 300-yard rushing mark against Miami.
"It was an eye-opener for us,'' said Butch Davis, Miami's second-year coach. "I am concerned a lot about stopping 'em.
"Their backs are as big and strong and as physical as anybody we play. They remind me a lot of Nebraska's offenses. They want to pound you, bludgeon you, then try to go for the big home run.''
Tech has run for more than 300 yards three times and been held under 200 only once all season - it had 111 in its only loss, 52-21 on Sept.28 at Big East-leading Syracuse.
"They embarrassed us last year,'' said UM defensive end Kenard Lang. "They had 200 [yards rushing] in the first half. I expect they think they can do the same thing this year.''
Especially considering the weather brewing on the southern tip of Florida as a result of a nearby tropical storm.
As Tech went through its Friday afternoon walk-through, wind gusts of 40-50 mph buffeted the Orange Bowl. Today's forecast calls for 50-mph winds, plus rain.
Will the weatherman aid the Hokies?
"You'd think so,'' said Beamer, as the stiff wind arched the palm trees inside the Orange Bowl.
"We've been able to run the football all season long, so you'd think on paper at least it would be a benefit for us.''
Meanwhile, the Hurricane-like conditions don't figure to help a Miami club that does most of its offensive work in the air.
The Hurricanes average 400 yards a game, with all but 144 coming via the pass.
If the strong winds make throwing a football as dangerous as walking a Miami street alone at night, the Hokies will benefit most.
In addition to its running game edge, Tech, under such conditions, won't have to worry so much about Miami quarterback Ryan Clement and his superb wideouts enjoying a feast at the expense of Hokies cornerback Anthony Midget. The true freshman will be making his first collegiate start, replacing injured Antonio Banks.
Miami threw for 320 yards against Tech last year, but got in the end zone only once. The Hokies intercepted two passes and sacked UM quarterbacks Ryan Collins and Clement six times.
``It's imperative we get pressure on their quarterback,'' Beamer said. ``We need to help those secondary guys out all we can, because they're going to have their hands full with the Miami receivers.''
The Hokies quietly have maintained it will be Miami that will have its hands full today. All that despite the fact UM never has lost a Big East game at home and is 41-1 in November since 1985.
``By halftime, if we're winning, I think the fans will walk out,'' said Johnson, whose goal-line breakup of a pass intended for Yatil Green saved Tech's victory last year.
``I think they're looking at us like: `Who is Virginia Tech?' Hopefully, we can show them and [the] nation once again.''
LENGTH: Long : 113 linesby CNB